Ben Knaggs admits CYMS' RSL-Whitney Cup title could be looked upon as a lucky one but said the prize is deserved after years of hard work.
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The Cougars were awarded Dubbo cricket's top prize after Cricket Australia strongly recommended all competition cease as the battle against the coronavirus pandemic continues.
The Dubbo District Cricket Association, like almost every other in the country, ended its season immediately with minor premiers CYMS awarded the title.
The Cougars were due to play in the decider after finishing in top spot while RSL-Colts and Macquarie were scheduled to play in this weekend's semi-final.
"It's a bit of a weird feeling," Knaggs said.
"We haven't played a game ... we were lucky against Colts in the final round when there was rain both days but there's been a lot of hard work this season and the boys deserve it.
"We've played great cricket all season."
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CYMS lost just the four times this season and sat in top spot during the early rounds of the summer.
Macquarie then took control of the minor premiership race, only to suffer defeat at the hands of CYMS in the inaugural one-day final and then lose out to the Cougars in the battle for top spot.
The minor premiership and RSL-Whitney Cup win follows on from the Cougars' run to the semi-final last season.
That effort marked a return to finals for the first time since 2012/13 and Knaggs said recent years have all been about building to premiership success.
"When I first came to CYMS Ryan Medley [former captain] and Marty Nelson [club president] had the idea to strengthen our side we needed to have strong juniors," Knaggs said, having made the move from Newtown after the 2014/15 season.
It's great for the club and shows the hard work.
- Ben Knaggs
"It would have an effect and I think what they've done is excellent. It's been handled really well and it's been a long time since CYMS won and this shows the hard work behind the scenes.
"Everybody is maturing and we've only got about three or four blokes over 25 so it's great for the club and shows the hard work."
Knaggs took over as captain ahead of the 2017/18 season following Medley's neck injury suffered while playing rugby league.
The steady development has continued under his watch and the captain said he had a huge amount of belief in this season's side, even after all-round star Ben Strachan left the club for Macquarie after the first round.
"After last season's [semi-final] loss I knew we'd come back bigger, better and stronger," Knaggs said.
"Ben Strachan then left for Macquarie but we took a step and had a chat and said we still have the belief."
The CYMS club finishes the season as one-day and Whitney Cup premiers while the club championships was also won this season.
"I'm extremely proud," Knaggs said.
"Every bloke should be proud of the club we play for."